Wednesday, 30 November 2011

We plan to replace some bullhead sections of the mainline currently on wooden sleepers with bullhead on concrete sleepers (CS1s). This will ease maintenance in areas where it is difficult to replace individual sleepers, interface well with adjacent sections, utilise materials from stock, maintain the axle loading, and give a better 'heritage' appearance than modern heavy flat bottom rail on F27 (or similar) sleepers.

Tomorrow sees the start of 5 weekends of North Pole Expresses. Trains on Saturday 26 Nov will be hauled by Twizell, first train at 11.20 and last at 2pm from East Tanfield, heading for the North Pole where Santa will greet everyone in his grotto. (There are additonal set up and set down trains outside of these times, and No.6 will be on standby.) All trains in December are fully booked - there are a few seats available on 26 & 27 Nov.

Colin and Matthew with xmas tree at the North Pole(photo courtesy David W)

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Monday, 21 November 2011

I'm hoping that by now readers will know the sequence for resleepering track, so if anyone wants to test their knowledge practically, they would be most welcome to join in ....

The ballast in areas of Andrews House station west platform road was dug out yesterday thanks to the youth team, but everything was left intact because the line was in use (with the usual 5 mph limit).

Remove chairs and old sleepers .....(the team are Mark, Phil, Malcolm, Malcolm and me)

Watch Trip Advisor about attractions in Gateshead to see where Tanfield lies compared with the Sage, Metro Centre, etc. This may be a comment on what there is to do in Gateshead (compared with Newcastle), rather than how good people find TR, but at least it shows public recognition. We seem to be important for locals and visitors to Gateshead, but need to develop and enhance our good points - we are mainly up against seven day a week attractions.

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You are invited to travel any Sunday in wooden carriages on the world's oldest railway, the 1725 route of the Tanfield Waggonway. Visit the world's oldest engine shed at Marley Hill, which has housed industrial steam locomotives from North East England since 1854. ... more info ....